Dttst guard fob cak-axle boxes



J. H. SHARP.

DUST GUARD FOR CAR AXLE BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED 02c. 21, 1915.

1,407,5 7, I Patented Feb.2l, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. H. SHARP.

DUST GUARD FOR CAR AXLE BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 21,1915.

1,407,5 7, Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES JOHN H. SHARP, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DUST GUARD FOR CAR-AXLE BOXES.

Application filed December 21, 1915.

To all whom it may] concern:

Be it known that I, Join: H. Sinner, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new ard useful Improvements in Dust Guards for (Jar-Axle Boxes, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices known as dust-guards for prcventing dust from entering the journal boxes of car axles, and relates particularly to a device which is universal, that is it is applicable for practically all of the standard makes of journal boxes, and may be placed in operative position with either side or face toward the axle end. The invention has among its objects the production ofi a device of the kind described that is simple, convenient, eflicient, durable and satisfactory, which may be manufactured at comparatively small cost. It also has as an object the production of a device in which wearing away of the guard at the central opening or scoring of the axle, thereby in creasing the opportunity for the admission of dust, is lessened, and also has as an object the production of a guard which may be stiffened to a desired degree, thereby pre' venting excessive buckling of the plate, and yet permitting it to buckle a limited amount if desired. Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein illustrated and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure here given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and de scribed, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts,

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a portion of a car axle journal, showing my improved device in position;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of thesame, taken substantially on line 2, 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the guard, taken. substantially on line 3, 3 of igure 2;

Figure 4 is a view in elevation of a slightly modified guard;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 21, 1922.

Serial No. 68,011.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the same taken substantially on line 5, 5 of Figure 4:,

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of a slightly modified form of guard Figure 7 is a view in elevation of a simplified form of the device, and

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken substantiallyon line 8, 8 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings, the standard form of journal is shown provided with the walls 2 and 3, between which is formed the chamber 4, known as the dust-guard chamher. The walls 2 and 3 are provided with the openings 5, 5 through which the axle 6 projects into the ournal-box. The complete journal box is not shown, as this in itself forms no part of the present invention. Ar-

ranged in the chamber 4 is the dust-guard 9, which is preferably made of sheet metal, steel being preferred for the purpose.

The guard consists of the body part 9, which is provided with flanges 10 and 11 at opposite edges, preferably at the upper and lower edges respectively. In the construction shown the flanges are integrally formed on the plate or body 9, and are extended laterally and curved so that they have some resiliency. It may be mentioned that the extreme edges of the flanges may be turned slightly back in the direction of the plane of the face, as indicated in Figure 1. The guard is provided with an opening 12, the plate being formed with a circumferential. flange 14 about the opening, and projecting from the face of the plate on the same side as the flanges at the top and bottom. It will be noted by referring particularly to Figures 1 and 3, that the circumferential.

flange is preferably flared outwardly at the edge. The plate shown is also preferably corrugated at each side of the opening 12, as most clearly shown in Figure 2, the corrugations extending only throughout the face of the plate, or as shown, to the outer edge of the flange, as may be desired in particular cases. The plate shown is what may be termed a universal guard, adapted for use on square journal boxes or on rounded boxes. The same is made substantially universal by constructing the same without corners at the lower edge, or that is cutting the same ofi at an angle, as indicated at 16, The same, however, may be cut circular, as shown by the dotted line at 17, or in an equivalent manner. When made as shown the guard easily fits into a journal box having a round bottom, as indicated by the dotted line 1. I have also shown this particular guard with square corners at the upper edge, and have indicated by the dotted lines how the same may be cut off at the corners, as'indicated at 18. The advantage of cutting off the corners that there is less chance of the guard catching on flns or rough spots in the chamber wall; in other words the same tends to more easily ride over the same. This is also true with the. slight flare or bend at the extreme edge of the flanges, as previously referred to.

In use the guard is inserted in its chamber' l, and the axle 6 then inserted through the openings 5 and the opening 12 inrthe guard to theinterior ot the journal box. Opening 12-is oil such size as to permit the axle to turn in the guard without friction. As shown, it is made of a size to reecive the enlarged portion 8 of the axle. Normally the guard is held inplace by the face'9, en-

I gaging one wall of the chamber 4, by the flanges 10 and 11, engaging the other wall, the plate being of suflicient resiliency so that it may be shifted easily, and yet there is a suflici'ent friction to substantially support the same so that it is not continuously carried on the axle. In use the dust-guard is under continual vibration and movement in its chamber, due to the motion of the truck, but

in the present construction there is a minimum of wear on the dust-guard by reason of itsmovement in its chamber or'rotation of the axle. It has been previously stated, that the guard is substantially auniversal. guard, and it will. be noted by referring particularly to Figure 1, that by constructing the circumferential flange 14:, as shown,

there is no sharp edge of the same to rest on the axle so as to score the axle and cause cutting or additional wear on the guard. In practice,'where a guard does not easily ;fit into the vchamber the mechanism applying thesame will set on the same or apply pressure 'to'the plate in an. endeavor to decrease the width of the offset of the flanges to some. extent. This frequently causes a set in the material, so that the guard does not snugly fit its chamber, but is loose there- 7 in. By making the circumferential flange about the central opening of some depth or width, 1t lS'lIILPOSSlblG for the workman to apply pressure tothe guard in thismanner and impair its efficiency, as the flange will bear on the surface carrying the guard-and resist bending. The ribs 15 tend to prevent excessive buckling of the plate where it is weakened, by the opening through it, and at thesametime facilitate the positioning of theguard since 'it-is stiffer, and consequently more easily handled. The bead may be of the size desired and varied for different conditions. it is immaterial Whichside. of the is it as deep as that shown in the other 0011- struction. The guard 26 in Figure 6 is substantially similar to the others, and. is pro vided with an opening 27 with the corners 28 being removed.

A simplified construction is shown in Figure 7, in which the beads are omitted, asis. V

the flare about the opening. In this case the plate 29 is formed with the flanges 30' and 31 and the opening 32, together with the lnternal or (,lICUITlfBlGIltlfll flange 34. The

corners at the lower flanges or lower edge are removed, so that the same universal. This is the simplest form, and is 111 itseli" a very satisfactoryand eflicient guard.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention;

hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described tioned.

What I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. As an article of manufacture, a dust' guard for car axle boxes, comprising a plate having a central opening adapted to. receive the axle, resilient flanges extending across the upper and lower edges of said p'late,said -v plate having a portion thereof at the corners of the lower resihent flange cut away.

2. As an article otmanufacture, a dustguard for car axle boxes, comprising a sheet metal plate relatively rigid in its body portion and having a central openingadapted to receive the axle, said plate being formed and uses inenguard for car axle boxes, comprising a re silient plate having a central opening adaptmaining intermediate portion being formed with a reversed marginalflange.

4. As an article of manufacture, a dustguard for car axle boxes. comprising a resilient sheet metal plate, having a centralopening adapted to receive the axle,.said plate 1 ,&07,587

having a portion thereof at the upper and. lower corners cut away and the remaining intermediate portions being provider with reverse marginal flanges.

5. As an article of manufacture, a dustguard for car axle boxes, comprising a sheetmetal plate having a central opening of a size to receive the axle, said plate provided with means for stiffening the same substantially between the top and bottom edges while being relatively resilient at its top edge portion.

6. As an article of manufacture, a dust guard for car axle boxes, comprising a sheet metal plate having a central opening of a size to receive the axle, said plate provided. with means for stiffening the same between the top and bottom edges, th top and bottom edge portions beyond the stiffening means being offset and at least the top portion being relatively resilient.

7. As an article of manufacture, a dustguard for car axle boxes, comprising a sheet metal plate having a central opening of a size to receive the axle, said plate formed with means at each side of said opening for substantially stiffening the plate thereat and having a relatively resilient upper edge portion.

8. As an article of manufacture, a dustguard. for car axle boxes, comprising a sheet metal plate, having a central opening of a size adapted to receive the axle, flanges at the top and bottom of said plate, said plate being cut away at each of the lower corners and formed with stiffening ribs between the flanges on each side of said opening and at least the top flange being resilient.

9. As an article of manufacture, a flat resilient plate having central opening with a circumferential flange projecting laterally from the plate at the periphery of said opening, and outwardly flared at the edge of said flange.

10. As an article of manufacture, a flat resilient plate having a central opening with a circumferential flange projecting laterally from the plate at the periphery of said opening, and outwardly flared at the edge of said flange, said plate provided with flanges at the upper and lower ends, curving laterally and outwardly with respect to said opening, said flanges disposed toward the same side of the plate as the circumferential flange at he opening and slightly beyond the same.

11. As an article of manufacture, a flat resilient plate having a central opening with a circumferential flange projecting laterally from the plate at the periphery of said opening, and outwardly flared at the edge of said flange, said plate provided with flanges at the upper and lower ends, curving laterally and outwardly with respect to said opening, said flanges disposed toward the same side of the plate as the circumferential flange at the opening and slightly beyond the same, and means for stiffening the plate intermediate the upper and lower edges.

12. A dust-guard for car axle boxes, com prising a sheet metal plate having a central opening of a size to receive the car axle flanges, flanges arranged at the upper and lower ends of said plate, said flanges projecting laterally to one side of said plate, said plate corrugated to form a rib on each side of the opening and extending to the top edge of the )late.

13. .s an article of manufacture, a dustguard for car axle boxes, comprising a re silient plate of sheet metal having a central opening of a size to receive the axle, said plate being stilfened in its main body portion and provided with flanges at opposite edges extending transversely of the plate, and thence curved away from and substantially parallel with the plane of the face of the plate, with the free edges slightly turned back toward the plane of the face, the flange at one of the edges being resilient.

let. A dust guard for car axle boxes consisting of a single resilient plate provided with an opening for the car axle and having in-. tegral flanges at its upper and lower edges, the plate at its upper edge being straight and its lower edge being of semi-circular outline and bent away from the body of the plate to constitute a flange extending at least for part of the extent of said semicir ular lower edge.

15. A dust guard for car axle boxes consisting of a single resilient plate provided with an opening for the car axle and having integral flanges at its upper and lower edges, the plate at its upper edge being straight and, its lower edge being'of semi-circular outline and bent away from the body of the plate to constitute a flange extending at least for part of the extent of said semicircular lower edge and bending away from the plate in a gradual curve reversing at its extreme edge.

16. A dust guard for car axle boxes consisting of a single resilient plate provided with an opening for the car axle and having an integrally formed straight flange at its upper end, said plate being of approximately semi-circular outline at its lower edge and offset to provide a flange partially surrounding said opening.

17. A dust guard for car axle boxes consisting of a single resilient plate provided with an opening for the car axle and having at its upper end a lateral flange, its lower edge of said plate being of approximately semi-circular outline and bent away from the body of the plate to constitute a flange extending at least for part of the extent of said lower edge, said plate also having in tegral ribs formed therein. and extending upwardly near its sides thereof.

18. A dust guard for car axle boxes comprising a single resilient plate provided with an opening adapted to receive the axle acircumterential flange around said open- 'lIlg flared outwardly to provide a curved surface surrounding the axle, and integral flanges extending across the upper and lower edges of said plate adapted to cause a buckling action thereof when said guard is placed in position in the ear axle box, whereby the same is held in position therein.

19. A dust-guard for car axle boxes composed of a resilient sheet metal plate having a body portion provided with an axle opening, said body at the opposite sides of. said opening being relatively stiflened, the top and bottom edge portions of the plate being offset to provide flanges, one of which at least is resilient with respect to the body portion and the lower edge portion of the flanged plate being of curved outline.

20. A. dust-guard for car axle boxes composed ot a resilient sheet metal plate having a body portion provided with an axle opening. said body at the opposite sides of said. opening being relatively stiffened, the top and bottom edge portions of the plate being offset to provide flanges, one of which at least is resilient with respect to the body portion and the lower edge portion of the flanged plate being of curved outline, the

.margins of the top and bottom edge portions being formed into reverse flanges.

21. A dust-guardfor car axle boxes composed of resilient sheetmetal having a body portion provided with an axle opening, said body at the opposite sides of said opening being relatively stifl'ened', the top and bottom edge portions of the plate being offset to provide flanges, both of which are resilient with respect to the body portion, said i flanges being bent away from the body portion on straightlines, and the lower edge portion of the flanged plate being of curved outline.

22. it dust-guard of the character described composed of a sheet metal resilient plate having a body portion formed with an axle opening, said plate having oflset flanges at its top and bottom, the upper flange being resilient and the flanged bottom. portion 01' the plate being of curved outline.

23. As an article of manufacture a dust guard for car axle boxes comprising a plate having an opening adapted to receive the axle, flanges at the upper and lower portions of said plate, the upper flange being resilient and the lower flange being formed to eliminate lower corners on the plate, and said flange at least at its lowermost edge having a reverse edge.

24-. As an article of manufacture, a dust guard for car axle boxes comprising a plate having an opening adapted to receive the axle, flanges at the upper and lower portions of said plate, the upper flange being resilient and the lower flange being formed to eliminate lower corners on the plate, and

said flange at least at its lowermost edge having a reverse edge, the lowermost flange and adjoining plate portion being of approximately semi-c-ircular outline.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN H. SHARP. lVitnesses:

RoY W. HILL, CHARLES I. Conn. 

